NEW STADIUM DEVELOPMENT

20/10/17
It has been six months since the club welcomed the confirmation that the South West Essex Community Education Trust's (SWECET) application to build a new free school had been approved. At that time, we were delighted to pass on our congratulations to all involved and wished the Trust all the best for the development of Orsett Heath Academy. Since then, William Edwards School have met with the Department for Education and Thurrock Council, to determine the appropriate steps to implement the programme for the new development. The School has also once again confirmed their wish to work with the club. It is still not possible to give any detail on the timescale for the new school as discussions continue with all interested parties on the possible site location. This process has taken a long time, but is hoped that this phase is nearing completion. Rest assured that we will advise supporters as soon as we can when agreement has been reached. Meanwhile, we must continue to do our best to ensure the club remains viable

18/5/17
William Edwards School have met with the Department of Education to determine the programme for the new development and have also met with the Thurrock Council planning department.

The School has once again confirmed their wish to work with Grays Athletic FC on our relocation as part of a wider sports hub plan for Grays

Club looks set to meet with the school to discuss its plans to move back to Grays 13/4/17

Grays Athletic Football Club welcome the recent confirmation that the South West Essex Community Education Trust's (SWECET) application to build a new free school has been approved. We would like to pass on our congratulations to all involved and wish the Trust all the very best with the development of Orsett Heath Academy. We are sure that this new facility will be a fantastic new asset to the community.

As documented in the SWECET brochure that explained their proposal, the possibility of Grays Athletic Football Club being part of the development at the proposed site, as part of a sports hub, has been discussed with the Local Authority and SWECET. Following this significant announcement from Government, the Club looks forward to meeting with the key people involved after the Easter break to further those discussions.

A further statement will follow from the club in due course

IT IS EXPECTED THAT AN ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE BY THE END OF MARCH BY WILLIAM EDRADS SCHOOLWednesday 14th September 2016
NEW STADIUM UPDATE - WILLIAM EDWARDS SCHOOL CONFIRM CLUB'S IMPORTANT PART OF SPORTS HUB
Club continues to work behind the scenes as significant progress is made by the school
“It could also lead to the relocation of Grays Athletic FC on part of the land as an important part of the Blackshots hub”
Steve Munday
Following an open meeting last night (13 September) at William Edwards School, Steve Munday, the Head Teacher, gave the following information:
''The school’s application for the new school will be submitted this month. There will be an interview with the Department for Education in January 2017 and a decision on the funding for the new school will be made in March 2017. If it is approved, it is planned to open the new school on council owned land east of Blackshots in September 2019. It could also lead to the relocation of Grays Athletic Football Club on part of the land as an important part of the “Blackshots Sports Hub”.

Tuesday 19th July 2016
New proposal could see the club's return to Grays as part of a sporting hub

The South West Essex Community Education Trust is making an application to the Department for Education for a new secondary school in Grays. See link: http://williamedwards.org.uk/freeschoolbid/

The Trust, which also oversees William Edwards School, continues to talk with the Local Authority about the possibility of bringing Grays Athletic Football Club back into Grays as part of the sporting hub element of the project.

These are very early days and the local community can have their say on the proposed new school by attending an information event and completing a short survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/newschoolfeedback

Grays Athletic Football Club strongly supports the Trust’s application and we look forward to working with them to develop the concept of a sporting hub for Thurrock, including the Football Club.

Speaking about the proposals Andy Swallow said "since stepping back from the day to day running of the club towards the end of last season, I have been working hard to fullfill my commitment to return the club back to Grays, this announcement is very welcome and I will continue to work with the School and council to make this proposal a reality and return the club back where it belongs at the heart of the community in Grays"

Saturday 27th June 2015
Stadium update for our supporters
The club would like to let our supporters know that talks are ongoing with our partners for the new Grays Athletic community stadium.

Meetings have been held with our potential partners and members of the club have met with the head of the Thurrock council planning department and his planners.

Due to various reason we are still unable to give any details of the new stadium. We are in the early stages of planning, but we can say that we are all very excited by the possibilities that have so far been discussed with our partners and with the council, who very much want to see us return to Grays.

We are sorry we cannot give you any more information at this stage, but please know that we are working hard to return the Blues back to Grays.

Tuesday 28th April 2015
Grays Athletic hold initial talks with the council
Representatives from Grays Athletic met with Thurrock Council this morning with the Head of Planning and three of his senior colleagues.

It was a positive meeting and there will be follow ups to put some 'flesh on the bones’ of our proposals.

These things take time and with local elections imminent, the club needs to be patient, but there are options to pursue.

The Club will keep supporters advised of our plans in due course.

Keep the faith!

Friday 11th April 2015
The club have funding in place and are now ready to return the Blues back to Grays and build a community stadium.
The board of Grays Athletic have taken great heart in the positive response during the YourThurrock hustings debate that was held at the Thameside Theatre on Wednesday evening.
Thanks to UKIP's Tim Aker and Labour's Polly Billington there now appears to be the beginnings of some positive talk about the club returning home to Grays .

Grays Athletic would like to announce that if Thurrock council can provide suitable land with the relevant planning permission in Grays, the club are ready and are prepared to build a new community stadium and have all the funding in place.
Stadium Funding announcement
This weeks debate has raised the clubs hopes, and if the relevant parties and council are serious and wish to move forward, the club are ready to meet with the Council and are prepared to put forward plans to build a reasonable size community stadium, a stadium that the people of Grays and Thurrock can be proud of and one we can finally call home .

It's time now for every Grays Athletic fan to stand up and be counted.

Everyone involved at Grays Athletic are determined to build a community based football club in Grays and the building of a new community stadium will enable the club to build strong ties with the people of Grays and Thurrock as a whole.

We are ready to move the club home and we look forward to further discussions with Thurrock council and the relevant councillors.

Lets make our dream come true!

Grays Athletic Football Club - part of Thurrock's community since 1890

Where next?

Council Meetings
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Saturday 27th June 2015 Club representatives have met several times with the head of planning at Th